10+ Best Illustrated Books for 6-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect illustrated books for 6-year-olds that will captivate their imagination and enhance their reading skills? You've come to the right place! Illustrated books are a fantastic way to engage young readers, combining stunning visuals with compelling storytelling. Keep reading as we dive into various lists of illustrated books that are sure to be a hit with your little ones!

Fun Illustrated Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and creativity, showing kids the power of their own minds to create adventures and manage emotions.
  • Perfect for: Children who love letting their imaginations run wild and those who enjoy tales of adventure.

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Genre(s): Picture book, Educational
  • Synopsis: This classic book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a variety of foods before finally pupating and emerging as a butterfly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches days of the week, counting, and the life cycle of a butterfly, all through simple, engaging text and colorful illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy learning about nature and those beginning to learn basic concepts like numbers and days.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Picture book
  • Synopsis: The crayons in Duncan's box are fed up and they each write him a letter expressing their complaints and demands.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and creative story that encourages empathy and problem-solving, as well as the importance of looking after one's belongings.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love drawing and coloring, and those who appreciate a good laugh.

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
  • Genre(s): Bedtime story, Picture book
  • Synopsis: In this calming bedtime story, a young rabbit says goodnight to all the things in the room and beyond.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its rhythmic, gentle text and soothing illustrations make it perfect for bedtime, helping children wind down.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need help settling down at bedtime and those who enjoy peaceful, quiet stories.

• Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This whimsical book explores the love dragons have for tacos and the chaos that ensues when they accidentally eat spicy salsa.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a touch of adventure and the fun, lively illustrations enhance the storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy fantastical creatures and those who love fun, energetic stories.

Educational Illustrated Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book follows Ada Twist, a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, problem-solving, curiosity about how things work
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes a love for science and inquiry, encouraging kids to ask questions and discover answers through experimentation.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and any kid who's always asking "why?"

• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story captures the adventures of a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the season's first snowfall.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, understanding of seasons, exploration and discovery
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the simple joys of a snowy day and encourages children to explore and appreciate their own daily environments.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love playing outside, whatever the weather, and those who enjoy stories of everyday adventures.

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Science, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rosie Revere dreams of becoming an engineer. In her quest to build amazing gadgets, she learns important lessons about failure and success.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, perseverance, engineering concepts
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of learning from failures, all while fostering an interest in engineering.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring inventors and creators, and any child who loves building and designing things.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Social Themes, Culture
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young girl from Korea, is nervous about being accepted in her new American school, so she decides to choose a new name. Her classmates help her discover the value of her own unique name and identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, self-esteem, social skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses themes of diversity and acceptance, helping children appreciate their own and others' cultural backgrounds.
  • Perfect for: Kids navigating new environments and those learning about diversity and inclusion.

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Art, Inspiration
  • Synopsis: Vashti thinks she can't draw, but her teacher encourages her to make a mark and see where it takes her. This leads to a journey of self-discovery and confidence through art.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, self-expression, confidence in one's abilities
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires children to embrace their creativity and shows the power of a supportive teacher.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and any child who needs encouragement to try new things.

Challenging Illustrated Books for 6-Year-Olds

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world of adventure, where she embarks on a quest that involves a captive bird, an evil emperor, and a heroic escape.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story is told entirely through pictures, requiring the reader to interpret and connect complex visual narratives without textual cues.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters imagination and storytelling skills, as children create their own words to accompany the intricate illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and imaginative thinkers who enjoy creating their own stories.

• The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This wordless graphic novel depicts the journey of an immigrant who leaves his troubled homeland to build a new life in a bewildering city filled with strange creatures and unfamiliar customs.
  • Why this book is challenging: The lack of text challenges readers to interpret the story through detailed and sometimes abstract illustrations, enhancing their visual literacy and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces themes of immigration, resilience, and hope in a deeply emotional and visually stunning format.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in stories about journeys and resilience, and those who appreciate artful storytelling.

• Flotsam by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young boy finds an old camera washed up on the beach and discovers that it contains a roll of magical photos showing underwater worlds filled with fantastical creatures and scenes.
  • Why this book is challenging: Like Journey, this book is also wordless, requiring readers to piece together the narrative from complex and detailed images that tell a story beyond the ordinary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It expands the imagination and encourages curiosity about science, technology, and the mysteries of the ocean.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds fascinated by the sea and storytelling through visuals rather than words.

• Tuesday by David Wiesner
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: On a Tuesday evening, a surreal event occurs when frogs on lily pads begin to float through the air, exploring the nearby suburban landscapes at night.
  • Why this book is challenging: This imaginative book also relies solely on pictures to tell its story, engaging readers in a puzzle-like narrative filled with whimsical and unexpected twists.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful exploration of the ordinary world turned extraordinary, sparking wonder and laughter.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love surprises and exploring the idea of "what if?"

• The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Psychological
  • Synopsis: A young girl finds herself lost in her own despair, wandering through a series of surreal landscapes, until she discovers a bright red leaf that holds promise and hope.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with complex themes of depression and hope through metaphorical imagery, requiring deeper thinking and emotional maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses emotional struggles and the eventual finding of hope in a gentle, visually engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are thoughtful and those dealing with or learning about emotional challenges.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're exploring illustrated books with your 6-year-old, you're already on a fantastic path to nurturing a love for reading. Illustrated books are not only fun but also visually stimulating, which can be especially engaging for young readers. Below, I've put together a few exercises that can enhance the reading experience and help develop good reading habits in your little one. Let’s dive in!

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Before reading, flip through the book and talk about the pictures.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions like, "What do you think is happening here?" to spark curiosity.

• Story Map Creation
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the story’s main events, based on the illustrations.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the story structure and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

• Character Puppet Show
  • What it is: Create simple puppets based on the characters and reenact the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and allows for creative expression.
  • Tips: Use sticks and paper cutouts for an easy puppet-making session.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: After reading, have your child draw a scene from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and understanding of the story.
  • Tips: Display the drawings to show that their work is valued.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child, taking on different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding through physical activity and fun.
  • Tips: Switch roles or add new twists to keep it exciting.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine will not only make reading time more interactive but also deepen your child's engagement and comprehension. Remember, the key is to keep it fun and light, letting your child's imagination lead the way. Happy reading!